Book excerpt: Coping with the death of his father and reeling from the marriage of his mother to his uncle, Hamlet has an encounter with his father’s ghost, who reveals the truth: he was murdered—by his brother! Urged by his father to seek revenge, Hamlet is wracked with indecision and spirals into depression. It seems that not even his best friend, Horatio, nor his love interest, Ophelia, can help him. A visiting acting troupe inspires Hamlet to form a plan, but he cannot foresee the devastation that will occur. Hamlet & Ophelia is a compelling read for teens and adults alike—sexy, sultry, spellbinding. In following the contours of Shakespeare’s play, John Marsden has created a stunning tale that brings new life to a timeless classic.